One Class Live Online Streaming Help For Education

With schools closed across the world, many students are worried about their education. Whether you are in school, college or university you could probably do with some help. This is where a site like One Class can help. This is an ad.


One Class is a site which allows you to access study materials and homework help. Study materials are from UK, USA and Canadian students mainly and they have recently launched a free live online streaming program too.

How does online streaming work?

The online streaming tutors teach live for high school, college and university 7 days a week. With the emphasis on maths and sciences, and SAT prep, these lessons are online and live right in your living room every day of the week. 



You can see the notes of the tutor and the graphs or drawings they make, so it's a very imaginative way to learn. Great for those that have a visual learning style. 

The live stream is interactive and reactive - you can ask questions as you go along and the tutors will respond. Great for the auditory learner. 

You know sometimes you just get stuck on a question or a solution? Well, you can also book a one to one consultation with a tutor to get clarification too. So important when your essay or coursework has to be in. 

 As you can see the live sessions can be really useful and at present they are free. You can read about the tutor's qualifications and experience too in their bio, so you can check that they are suitably experienced. The live tutors I saw appeared very knowledgable and personable. 

What subjects do they cover?

 The nine main subjects that they focus on are Math, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Accounting, Electrical Engineering, Biology, Statistics, and Mechanical Engineering however other subjects are covered too. When looking for information, for example, I found women and gender study notes, so it's always worth a search of their online tool.  Of course, study notes are a subjective response to classwork but work submitted is quality checked for reassurance. 



How much does it cost?

 At the moment the live streaming is free, so that's a great service. 

 To access homework help, the cost is from $2 a month paid yearly. To get premium access to all notes and all stay guides it's $9.98 a month paid yearly or $39.99 paid monthly, obviously more expensive but useful when you need help but don't want to be locked into a yearly plan.

You can also apply to be a note-taker or a study specialist guide and feel good providing help. You get credits when you upload your notes and these turn into rewards including cash payments.  This can help if you need some extra cash when working your way through university. 

As you can see One Class provides a very useful service. They say they have helped over 2.2 million+ students spanning across 1.3 million different courses. Let me know, would you use the online streaming lessons? Would you use a site like One Class to help with your study needs?

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Crispy Lemon Cake

Sometimes you just feel like baking a cake!

 Here is my recipe for Crispy Lemon Cake

 Ingredients
4oz (100gms) soft margarine ( I use Flora buttery)
6oz (150 gms) caster sugar
2 medium eggs lighten beaten
6oz (150 gms) self-raising flour
zest of 1 lemon, finely grated
1 level tsp of baking powder (but you can leave this out)
2 tablespoons of milk

 Topping
4 oz of granulated or caster sugar
Juice from 1 lemon

 A loaf tin -  lined with buttered greaseproof paper 

 Method
1) Put the oven on at 180 degrees C.

 2) Beat the butter and sugar together until soft. 

 3) Add the lightly beaten egg a little at a time. If the mixture starts to curdle add a little of the flour. 

 4) Once all the egg is mixed in, fold the self-raising flour, lemon zest and baking powder into the mixture. 

 5) If the mixture looks a little stiff add 1 or 2 tablespoons of milk until it is a soft dropping consistency.

 6) Spoon the mixture into a loaf tin and level out. 

 7) Bake for 40 minutes until the cake looks golden and it springs back when touched lightly in the middle.

 8) While it is cooling, juice the lemon and mix with the 4oz of sugar. If you prefer a crunchier texture use granulated sugar. 

 9) If you have a skewer prick the top of the cake a few times (this is optional but will help the sugar mixture penetrate the cake) Pour the sugar mixture over the cake and leave until cold.  

Eat and enjoy!
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Why You Should Use Influencers To Market Your Brand

Influencer marketing is a form of marketing that has exploded over the last few years.  With the advent of blogging and vlogging and social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok then an influencer can really change the buying and thinking habits of people that follow them.

 Let's look more closely at why you should use influencers to market your brand. 

 They create great content 


Influencers create great content and that content can be about your brand. If you pick the best influencers suitable for your company content can be well-written and informative. Often content is topical and on-trend too. 

 They speak to an audience 

 Influencers speak to their audience. They spend time and effort building up this audience and their audience follows them as they like what they say and identify with them. Whether they are jewellery influencers, fashion influencers, beauty, travel or anything else they will have an audience unique to them. 

 They allow you to access their audience 


Following on from the last comment, they can allow your brand to access their audience. With niche audiences from a few hundred dedicated followers to medium audiences of tens of thousands and large audiences of a few hundred thousand or more then you can see that if they recommend your product then you are also accessing their audience.

 They raise awareness of brands

If you have been wondering who to contact to increase your post engagement and brand awareness, then know that a well-matched influencer can do the work. It's important that they are chosen well so they have genuine enthusiasm and passion for the product, and then you have the perfect influencer relationship.

 They can drive sales

Influencers can drive sales.  If you read a great article about a holiday destination from a travel or lifestyle influencer, see your favourite fashion influencer wearing a pretty dress or a food influencer baking a mouthwatering cake then your next step may be to research the destination for your next trip, find out where the dress is from or get the ingredients to make the cake. It's as simple as that.

 They are trusted


Influencer marketing is like no other form of marketing in that people trust influencers. Yes, we are not all perfect but the trust is there and many pride themselves on the clear ethical marking of brand collaborations and adverts. The majority of influencers will only work with brands they trust and respect. 

 They distribute information

 Influencers are great at distributing up-to-date information and showcasing new products to the market. They can help get an item or news story trending and from that, they can help your company raise their social media profile. By retweeting and sharing your post, they can get some real traction on the information you distribute.

 They are cost effective

Finally using influencers is cost-effective. If you think of how much a small advert in a local magazine or newspaper costs compared to the amount it costs to use a micro-influencer to promote your brand, producing blog content, social media content and even video, then you can see you can get real value for money. Some influencers will work for products too although professional influencers will be expecting payment. 

 Here is my round-up of why you should use influencers to market your brand. You can see why smart brands use smart influencers for many reasons. 
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Paris Las Vegas Hotel Review

When you think of Las Vegas you think of the iconic hotels on the Las Vegas strip and the Paris hotel and casino is one such hotel. We stayed there at the beginning of March, and really enjoyed our stay. Let’s read on to find out why.

The Paris hotel is one of the hotels that are easily recognisable on the strip by the imitation Eiffel Tower, a third of the size of the real one and the Paris balloon. It's a beautiful hotel inside and out.

Check-in


We were emailed before arrival and encouraged to check-in online. We thought we would take a chance and check-in at a desk to see if they had any complimentary upgrades available as we were arriving just before midnight. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it's worth asking on check-in for an upgrade, as many Vegas hotels will upgrade you for free if you check-in late. It was also my birthday week, so I thought we would give it a try. We were told they only did paid upgrades. The lady was a little brusque, maybe she should have gone to charm school! 

They have a separate check-in for Diamond members. Caesars Entertainment group has Ceasars Rewards where you earn points when you spend in their casinos, the highest level is Diamond and you get more privileges. This is worth checking out if you are thinking of returning to Vegas. 

Room 


We booked a Burgundy room with two queen beds. The room was spacious and stylish, with a cream, black and red furnishings. We liked the interior design a lot. 

The room had plenty of storage for clothes, a desk and a chair as well as two queen beds. There were plenty of plugs including USB ports, a safe and a small fridge that was empty so you could keep your own drinks in. There was an iron and ironing board. We didn't see a coffee machine, unfortunately, however, there was a room service menu you could order room service to your room at an additional charge.



The bathroom had a shower and a bath and was super clean. Toiletries were provided and were branded with the Paris Hotel's logo. Towels were good quality too and there was also a hairdryer.

Casino floor


The casino floor has a full range of slot machines and table games playing blackjack, craps and roulette, three card poker and more as you would expect in a casino of this size with 1700 slot machines and just under 100,000 square feet in size. 

There are machines for low rollers and high rollers too, the high limit champagne slots are popular with those with the money to spend. We played a few machines, and whilst enjoying it, we didn't win much but also we didn't lose much either. We did find the waitresses slow to come around with your drinks. In Las Vegas and other casinos in the US, you generally get complimentary drinks when gambling at the machines, for a small tip of a dollar or two. These can be soft drinks, hot drinks and alcoholic drinks, so that may be useful to know if you haven't been to Vegas before.

There is also a race and sportsbook section to place your bets but we didn't check that out.


We thought the decor of the inside areas at the Paris fitted in with the Parisian theme. Everything was stylish and the architecture reflected Parisian architecture. The pretend twilight sky was an interesting touch, we saw this at the Venetian hotel too, it was as if you are outside but the whole time you are indoors.

Eating places


The Paris hotel has some great restaurants and cafes including four upscale restaurants including the Eiffel Tower restaurant, Hexx, and Gordon Ramsey Steak, seven casual restaurants including Mon Ami Gabi and Beer Park,  a buffet restaurant and some quick bite options selling coffee, pastries and crepes. You won't go hungry if you stay in the casino and never venture out!

We ate at Mon Ami Gabi one night. This is a mid-price hotel on the casino floor. This hotel has indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor seats have views of the Bellagio fountain show just across the road. You do have to wait for outdoor seating and as it was quite cold in early March we decided to stay indoors, Maybe next time we will ask for a table with a fountain view though.


The decor is of a French bistro restaurant and felt upmarket but not stuffy. We ordered and then were brought warm french bread and butter which was delicious. Marcus had French onion soup and roast chicken, whilst I had the steak and fries. 


The French onion soup tasted great, with a rich beef broth, and was brimming with melted cheese.  It was a big portion.  They also had a vegan version of this available and a vegan menu too.


My steak was incredibly tasty. I asked for a red wine sauce without onions and they were keen to oblige. This steak was SO good and a bargain for the Las Vegas Strip as it only cost 29 dollars. In fact, the whole meal was incredibly well-priced for the quality.  Before we went to Vegas I signed up to the Mon Ami Gabi email club and had a voucher for 20 dollars off when you spend 40 dollars. They also sent me another voucher when I was there for my birthday, so it's certainly worth signing up for great discounts.


With a couple of cocktails and a glass of wine including a fantastic apple pie martini, a starter, and two mains including steak, it came to around 80 dollars with our discount voucher. Service was excellent and I would highly recommend a visit if you are in Las Vegas.

 We also tried out the quick service options at Cafe Belle Madeline. Here you could buy breakfast and lunch items, such as pastries, granola and fruit. We found the coffee and the pastries expensive but they were good. As we didn't have a coffee machine in our standard Burgundy room, I would recommend you bring your own, or a travel kettle if you are on a budget as coffees and drinks can easily add up. 

 Beer Park a craft beer pub was good for a few drinks with a few of the Las Vegas strip and the Bellagio fountains. We sat outside and took in the view. Drinks weren't cheap but it was a fun place. They also had games inside like table football you could play.

Shops and entertainment 


There are a few shops at the Paris hotel, selling French goods and souvenirs. I noticed shops selling women's clothing and accessories as well as a stall selling cigars and a Swarovski shop amongst other things. The hotel is linked to Bally's and there are more shops there as well.

 There are a few shows at the Paris hotel aimed at adults, such as Antony Cools who does an adult comedy hypnotist show. There are also visiting bands and in the near future, they have Squeeze and Frankie Valley and the Four Seasons playing. 

 Napoleon's Piano Bar is also worth a visit. They do a duelling piano show and it's great fun! You submit a guest and a few dollars tip and they sing your song in their unique way. With a great wine list and full bar, the entertainment goes on to 1am so it's a fabulous place for a late-night drink. 

 For a view of the Las Vegas Strip, you can go to the top of the Eiffel tower for an amazing view. Check out Groupon for the best deals on this.

Pool

The pool is positioned just under the Eiffel Tower and is heated. It was a decent size, has a good number of lounge chairs and you can rent cabanas too. It's a lovely calm pool without the loudness of some Vegas pools. 

Position on the strip


 One of the best things about the Paris hotel is its position in the heart of the Las Vegas strip. It is across the road from the Bellagio and is a short walk to other casinos like Ceasars. Miracle Mile shops are close by too for affordable shopping and eating options. We recommend Oceans One for super affordable lunch options all under 5 dollars.

Price

I found the best price booking through the Ceasars Entertainment website direct. Once taxes and a resort fee were added, the price was around £80 a night midweek. Resort fees are a bugbear of mine. Almost all the resorts in Vegas have resort fees which can bump up the price of a room. In the Paris hotel, the resort fee covers daily in-room high-speed internet, all local calls, and fitness centre access for two daily. Personally, I feel the price you see is the price you pay but that is unfortunately what happens in Vegas. However, £80 a night for a room in a hotel of this quality is a fair price.

 Conclusion

 We've stayed in several Las Vegas hotels and I personally feel if you can get the Paris hotel at a good price, it is a bargain. The rooms are nice, the public areas amazing, the food options excellent and the location really cannot be beaten in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. Whilst it's not as opulent as the Venetian or Bellagio hotel, it's a very good choice when staying in Las Vegas. Would we go back? Most certainly. I have no hesitation in recommending the Paris hotel to everyone. 

 Let me know, have you been to Las Vegas? Where did you stay?
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Fashion Items Every Woman Should Own

Certain fashion comes and goes and high fashion changes every season but there are certain fashion items every woman should own in the modern age. 

 Lifestyle obviously plays a part in what you wear every day but having a basic yet versatile wardrobe that covers work, leisure and going out will address most women's needs. Of course, add your fun items, your bright t-shirts, your scarves and high-fashion items, as that is what fashion is all about. However, these are the staple fashion items every woman should have in their wardrobe.

Little black dress


A little black dress is the perfect dress for any occasion. I personally love a fit and flare summer dress design but if you go for this or a simple black dress with a high necklace and modest length then you can take it from work to going out.

 Stylish black stilettos

 Black stilettos are great shoes for the night and some would say day. The key to getting the right height and width so you can walk in comfort without compromising on fashion.  Perfect for a date night or trip to a bar or restaurant, they can also be worn for work too. Whether you want a high-end pair of Dior Stilletos or a pair from Marks and Spencer, they still give height and glamour to your wardrobe 

Versatile wrap dress

 A wrap dress is another great item you can wear for day or night. For a date night, you may want to show the cleavage but for work, a camisole can be a good idea if the dress is low cut. 

Neutral knit cardigan 

 A cardigan in a neutral colour is the perfect addition to your wardrobe. If you can afford it, a cashmere cardigan is the perfect luxury addition for its softness and warmth, however, any knit cardigan will be fine. Whether you go for a chunky knit or a fine knit, this is one item you really need.

 Simple white shirt


Women shirts are very versatile and every woman should have a number in their wardrobe. Worn with jeans and ankle boots you have a look suitable for shopping and leisure whilst it's the perfect shirt for your office wardrobe worn with black trousers. If you work in hospitality a white shirt can be a wardrobe staple too. Make sure you are not showing too much cleavage for work, so go with a modest neckline.

Well cut black trousers

 Well cut black trousers are essential in today's modern age. A work staple they are also great for taking you to an evening date too. Pair with a white shirt and blazer for work and simple jewellery or a smart top for evening wear. We all need black trousers in our wardrobe these days.

Mid-heel ankle boots

 Mid-heel ankle boots are one of my favourite items I own. As well as perfect with boot cut jeans or trousers I like to wear them with floral dresses for a modern touch.  I say mid-heel and a chunky heel as they are the most comfortable to walk in, and they will last longer than a stiletto heel. 

 Dark wash denim jeans

Dark wash denim jeans are a flattering jean that are simple and stylish. Rather than go for skinny leg or boyfriend style jeans, boot cut is the classic design I would recommend. Although not high fashion, they never go out of fashion and suit all ages.

 Simple classic flats

 Classic flat shoes can be worn with jeans, leggings, dresses or skirts and are great for when you are spending a long time on your feet. This means they are perfect for work or shopping. 

Lightweight trenchcoat


A lightweight trenchcoat is a great coat for the shoulder season - Spring or Autumn, when it can rain but still be warm. Whether you go for navy, black or tan, a neutral colour will be a great addition to your wardrobe. It's a smart coat that can also look smart casual unbuttoned and worn loose. 

 Supportive walking trainers

 A pair of walking trainers are a modern addition that I feel every woman should have in their wardrobe. Walking is one of the best exercises for all fitness levels and a pair of supportive trainers will let you walk in comfort. 

Athleisure joggers or leggings

Joggers or leggings are great for exercise or walking and are part of a leisure wardrobe any woman should have. Comfortable, soft and easy to wear a pair of athleisure joggers or leggings are the perfect addition to a modern woman's wardrobe.

 So here are the fashion items I feel every woman should own. What do you think are the essential fashion items for a woman in the modern age.? 

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Synthetic Diamonds vs. Mined Diamonds: How Do They Compare?

Laboratory-grown diamonds, aka synthetic diamonds, are an ethical alternative to their mined counterparts. But how do they compare when you look at them both side by side? This is an advertorial.

Gemstones made in a lab are actually identical to mined diamonds in terms of chemical, physical, and optical properties. Why is this you ask? Before we dive into the similarities and differences between synthetic diamonds and mined diamonds, it’s important to have a basic understanding of how diamonds are made.

How are diamonds made?



Whether it’s through a man-made process or a natural earth process, diamonds are made from pure carbon that has been exposed to extreme heat and temperatures. The only difference is that deep within the earth’s mantle, samples of carbon are exposed to these elements over a period of thousands of years or more.

Laboratory diamonds, on the other hand, are grown from pure carbon through the exposure of the sample to extreme heat in excess of 2000o C and pressure in excess of 60,000 atmospheres. Also, lab-made diamonds are fully grown in as little as four to 8 weeks.

Given the fact that lab diamonds and mined diamonds are both composed of pure carbon atoms aligned in a hexagonal crystal lattice - it’s only natural that people wonder which option is better? Keep reading as I uncover the differences between mined and lab-grown diamonds and the special attributes of synthetic diamonds that make them such an appealing option in today’s market.

Breaking down the differences between lab-grown diamonds and mined diamonds


As stated earlier, when it comes to the chemical composition of the two types of diamonds, they are the same. However, there are a couple of differences that can be detected. Contrary to popular belief though, these subtle differences make lab-grown diamonds the superior contender.

What are the differences between mined diamonds and synthetic diamonds?
  • Diamond manufacturers, such as Heart in Diamond, have the ability to create diamonds with a higher level of clarity than diamonds that were plucked from the earth.
  • A diamond that comes from the ground naturally has many different internal and sometimes rather noticeable flaws. This decreases its level of clarity, but it also helps make the diamond unique.
  • The inclusions, or small imperfections, on a mined diamond are slightly different than the inclusions on a synthetic diamond. Generally speaking, the synthetic diamond will have fewer imperfections due to the controlled process of manufacturing the diamond. However, many of these inclusions are internal and others cannot be seen with the naked eye, so the only way to get a thorough assessment is by having the diamond graded.
  • The growth morphology, or the shape the diamond takes according to the environment where they are created, can be different in synthetic gemstones versus mined diamonds.

In what ways are lab diamonds superior to mined diamonds?




  • Synthetic diamonds cost approximately 30% less than the gemstones from the ground.
  • Lab-grown diamonds are shinier and clearer because they have fewer imperfections. Learn more about lab-grown diamonds here.
  • No one would ever be able to tell that you have a synthetic diamond because it is still a real diamond. Only an expert with complex testing equipment would be able to distinguish the difference.
  • Lab-grown gemstones are the only eco-friendly option. You can feel good about buying a real diamond that was not plucked from the earth by a child who is forced to work under inhumane conditions in a war-struck country (as is the case for many mined diamonds). Furthermore, extensive mines have damaged entire ecosystems and devastated the earth.
  • Because companies, such as Heart in Diamond, can make the stones from the cremated ashes or hair of a loved one, these come with a heavy emotional load. By having the carbon from a loved one used to grow the diamond, you’re left with an authentic gemstone unique according to the chemical make-up of the carbon sample.
Conclusion


So which option is better? For value for money and quality, the answer is clear. Scientists who work at diamond-growing laboratories aim for 100% purity when making these gems and will not sell anything that is less than 99.5%. This results in a diamond that is harder, purer, clearer, and shinier than mined diamonds. Shop for synthetic diamonds today and choose the shape, colour, and setting for your diamond to have a creation customized specifically for you.

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